Harwood Park Primary School enjoy epic space tour

Date published: 05 October 2018

Samsung’s immersive ‘Space Descent with Tim Peake – The VR Experience Tour Bus’ - arrived at Harwood Park Primary School on Thursday.

Thanks to local MP, Liz McInnes, pupils at Harwood Park experienced an epic venture into space, joined by the MP herself. The school won the honour thanks to a social media campaign and support from the school community.

The bus tour gives pupils the chance to learn more about the work undertaken by astronauts – including Britain’s Tim Peake – aboard the International Space Station, including landing the Soyuz capsule. Aboard the bus pupils undertook space training, learning all about Tim Peake’s mission, how to launch a rocket into space and how to land the Soyuz capsule.

Once their training was complete, pupils then embarked on their descent back to earth using tablet technology.

Eight-year-old pupil Ellie Mae said: “I really enjoyed the Space Descent VR because it was like I was really in space. It was so cool.”

Fellow eight-year-old Lucas added: “Going on the space bus was really enjoyable because it taught me so many things that I didn’t know about space.”

Ruth French, Harwood Park computing co-ordinator, said: “We were thrilled to welcome the Soyuz Tour Bus to Harwood Park. It was a once in a lifetime experience that really brought learning alive for the children.”

Headteacher, Mandy Davies commented: “Today was a great opportunity for the children to experience what it’s like to travel in space. We hope that it will inspire our pupils to continue their learning, particularly in regard to STEM subjects.”

Ms McInnes said: “I’m delighted that thanks to the support of parents and carers we were able to get the VR Experience bus to come to Harwood Primary School. It’s one of the few places in the country to have this bus visit and we’re very lucky. The children seemed thrilled to take part and were a credit to the school. I’m really glad they enjoyed it so much.”